Multi-protocol SoC betters smart home security

A complete System on Chip (SoC) for smart home devices has been introduced by Qorvo. According to the company, it delivers multi-protocol support with best-in-class power consumption. More than 600 million smart home devices are expected to ship annually by 2021, compared with 40 million in 2015.

Consumers can have peace of mind that devices built with Qorvo solutions will connect with future products in their home, helping to accelerate the smart home market.

The GP695 SoC integrates multiple communication protocols, including IEEE 802.15.4, ZigBee 3.0, Thread and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for sensors and actuators throughout the home. The new Qorvo SoC advances the state of smart home networking by supporting these connectivity standards while optimising energy efficiency and extending battery life.

Supporting these different connectivity options allows for a single development platform and a single SKU, independent of the communication protocol used by the customer. With this, BLE-based smart phone connectivity for proximity-based services can combine with Thread or ZigBee 3.0 for smart home services.

For example, homeowners can use their mobile phones to connect a GP695-equipped door lock to a ZigBee smart home system using the phone's BLE protocol. The door lock then can be opened or closed from the mobile phone over BLE. To go a step further, this intelligent system can automatically lock the door over ZigBee when it detects that no one is in the home.

The GP695 complements the multi-protocol GP712, for use with smart home gateways. The GP712 was introduced in 2016 by GreenPeak Technologies - now the Qorvo Wireless Connectivity business. The GP695 uses the proven ARM Cortex-M4 computing architecture, used by millions of software developers around the world. It features Qorvo WiFi interference mitigation technology and has an extended range that covers the entire home.

"The 2016 holiday season is set to showcase the increased popularity of smart home devices," said Alex Davies, Analyst and Editor, Rethink Technology Research. "These next two months should show promising growth for smart HVAC, smart security systems, connected video doorbells and intercoms, garage door controllers, lightbulbs, smoke alarms, and leak detectors. With operators and insurance providers looking to move into the smart home sector, these devices are on track to enjoy record growth."

Cees Links, General Manager, Wireless Connectivity business unit, said, "Qorvo now offers power-efficient, multi-protocol solutions for both gateway and sensor devices in the smart home network. By using these cost-effective chipsets, designers can let consumers control their smart homes without worrying about evolving IoT standards."

Qorvo will feature live demonstrations of its innovative smart home and IoT solutions at its booth during the international Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada, 5th-8th January 2017, Sands Expo, Halls A-D Booth #42114.

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